There is a blog there where I hope to post more consistently. There is a small gallery–so far. I will be including similar items as here such as upcoming events, links to publications, and new photos.

I would love to hear feedback on how to improve the new site; there is a contact button there too. I will not be checking this site as often so if you post a comment and I haven’t replied or approved it, go to http://www.oyechica.net and let me know.

Wishing you all the best in 2015–great health, joy, happiness and peace.

Today I was the woman faculty member honored at the University of Central Florida where I work. Here it is; it’s a different perspective of what I do. My “day” job as it were but really I love teaching. I love being in the classroom and making meaning, learning, connecting with others.

Let me know what you think and stay tuned: two readings in Orlando in April. One on April 7th at the Southeast Branch of the Orange County Public Library and the other April 9th at Valencia College East. More details to follow.

Felix 2014! I hope that this new year brings much good health, luck and love to all.

I was a very busy chica last year, producing several new stories and completing a new collection of fifteen pieces that was submitted to editors in mid December. You can be sure that I’ll keep you posted on the status.

Sending you all my best wishes for a productive and literary new year!

I’m not very good at keeping a blog but will try to do better; especially when I have good news to share.

I’m happy to share the link for “Love and Punishment at the Clerk of the County Courts Office” online this month at Literary Mama.

Let me know what you think and feel free to ask questions, make comments, requests readings : ) This one is set on Valentines Day, hmm, maybe I need a Christmas story since part of the action in “The Law of Progress” occurs on Thanksgiving.

Shannon Ward invited me to participate in The Next Big Thing–an interview with a set of questions that goes around from writer to writer. You can find more info on Shannon’s award-winning poetry at her website: www.shannoncamlinward.com

The questions:Where did the idea come from for the book?

I had been writing poems about Latinas and also about Cubans and Cuban Americans so I thought I’d put a few of them together and send out as a chapbook and wouldn’t you know, it won the 2010 Longleaf Chapbook Award.

What genre does your book fall under?

PoetryWhat actors would you choose to play the part of your characters in a movie rendition?

For sure, Michelle Rodriguez would have to be in it because she is so great; Jersey girl tough and just beautiful and talented. Would love to see more talented latina actors get a shot at films–undiscovered young women. What is the one sentence synopsis of your book?

A collection of free verse poems about the lives of latinas.How long did it take you to write the first draft of the manuscript?

Hard to say because some poems were written many years ago. But to put them all together in this order, a week.Who or what inspired you to write this book?

I said recently that when I get mad, I often write a poem and that injustice was one of the things that made me mad. There are poems in the collection that was motivated by ignorant people. I’m also inspired by reading the work of other poets such as Judith Ortiz Cofer, Ana Castillo and also music motivates me.What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?

It led to the release of a spoken word CD with all the poems from the collection, a short story, and other selected poems–all set to music, mostly Cuban folk and Puerto Rican music. It includes two original songs by Kevin Meehan and Jorge Milanés (yup, my husband); the musicians who accompanied me on this project.

Links

Friends, I created a new website that is a bit more streamlined though I promise not to remove this one–it has far too much archived! Visit me at www.oyechica.net There is a blog there where I hope to post more consistently. There is a small gallery–so far. I will be including similar items as here […]

Hello all, Today I was the woman faculty member honored at the University of Central Florida where I work. Here it is; it’s a different perspective of what I do. My “day” job as it were but really I love teaching. I love being in the classroom and making meaning, learning, connecting with others. Let […]

Felix 2014! I hope that this new year brings much good health, luck and love to all. I was a very busy chica last year, producing several new stories and completing a new collection of fifteen pieces that was submitted to editors in mid December. You can be sure that I’ll keep you posted on […]

Hello all, In a few hours I’ll be skyping with Dr. Dora Ramirez-Dhoore‘s students at Boise State University! They have read my book, Marielitos, Balseros and Other Exiles as well as “The Law of Progress” (published in Guernica). I’ll be reading from the story and looking forward to their questions. I’ve said it before but […]

Friends, I’m not very good at keeping a blog but will try to do better; especially when I have good news to share. I’m happy to share the link for “Love and Punishment at the Clerk of the County Courts Office” online this month at Literary Mama. Let me know what you think and feel […]

Hello friends, Been a while but I do have something to show for it. Here is the link to my new story “The Law of Progress” published today at Guernica Magazine. I’m pretty happy with this piece and hope you like it; please do comment either way. Funny thing, I posted the link on Facebook […]

Hello everyone, Shannon Ward invited me to participate in The Next Big Thing–an interview with a set of questions that goes around from writer to writer. You can find more info on Shannon’s award-winning poetry at her website: www.shannoncamlinward.com The questions: Where did the idea come from for the book? I had been writing poems about […]

Hello friends, It’s been a while, I know but wanted to share the news of my featured speaker session at CCCC (Conference on College Composition and Communication) on Thursday. Check out the blurb on my session. Looking forward to visiting with friends I haven’t seen in a couple of years and because my mom is […]

Hello all and happy new year! I wish you all much good health, happiness and joy in this new year. At the close of 2012 I had sent out a poetry manuscript to various competitions; it is called Niñas de Casa. I’ll be updating this page when results start coming in. This year I’m going […]